Photo/Illutration Yuzuru Hanyu attempts a quad axel jump for the first time in competition at the Japan Figure Skating Championships in late December. (Takayuki Kakuno)

With Yuzuru Hanyu seeking to become the first to successfully land a quadruple axel in figure skating competition at the Beijing Winter Olympics, one expert believes he’s almost there. 

Tomonobu Sakurai, a professor of exercise physiology at Toin University of Yokohama, analyzed Hanyu’s attempted quad axel at the Japan Figure Skating Championships in December. 

“His axis is firmly in place,” Sakurai said. “I believe we can say that he has almost made the jump.”

Hanyu, 27, was half a revolution short in December and he also landed on both feet, so the jump was not certified as the first quad axel in competition.

He will get his chance to make it official on the world's biggest stage at the Beijing Games, which begins on Feb. 4. 

Hanyu also had worked hard to maintain a proper axis for the quad axel because without it “my rotations will not have the required speed.”

Hanyu will be seeking to win an unprecedented third gold medal at Beijing and doing so with the first quad axel in competition would be a crowning achievement.

Having established a solid axis for the jump, Hanyu now has to work on the speed of his revolutions. 

Sakurai said, “If he becomes faster in the run-up to the jump, his (right) foot will also be faster in the spin after taking off on his (left) foot. That would lead to faster rotations (because of the stronger centrifugal force).”

At the same time, Sakurai said that the faster Hanyu tried to make his rotations, the more difficult it would be to maintain his axis.

“I think he is nearing success while trying to find the right balance,” Sakurai said.

Sakurai said Hanyu has been able to near his goal because of his take-off angle from the start until he reaches the apex of the jump.

“I think Hanyu is trying not to jump as high as possible, but for as long as possible,” Sakurai said. “He needs as much time in the air as possible to complete the four and a half revolutions.”

Hanyu’s take-off angle is reminiscent of former U.S. long jumper Mike Powell, who set the world record of 8.95 meters in the men’s long jump in 1991. Powell had launch angles of 22 to 23 degrees, similar to Hanyu, but lower than most other athletes.

Hanyu admits that it has been a difficult process trying to find the right launch angle and velocity for the revolutions in nailing the quad axel.

In explaining why he has continued his effort, Hanyu said, “If people say I am the only one who can do it, I feel it is my mission to fulfill that goal.”

Sakurai said, “Unless someone like Hanyu appears in competition, the techniques employed will not progress. Trying to achieve it makes spectators excited with anticipation. I am also looking forward to his making a successful jump.”

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